Madonna takes David back to Africa but will she adopt a sister for him?

Friday 13 April 2007 07:53 BST

Madonna is attempting to adopt a three-year-old girl from Malawi, it has been claimed.

The child, called Grace, would be a sister for 18-month-old David Banda whom she adopted - in the face of a public outcry - on a trip to the east African country last year.

Madonna, 48, will fly to Malawi on Sunday so that David can enjoy a reunion with his father Yohane, 31, who gave his son up for adoption following the death of the baby's mother shortly after childbirth.

During the trip she will also look at adopting another Malawian child, it is reported today.

The Sun newspaper claims she has "set her heart" on three-year-old girl Grace, having watched a video of the child playing in an orphanage.

A source, described by the newspaper as close to the star, said: "Madonna saw a film of children at a place called The Consol Home.

"She spotted a beautiful girl called Grace who lit the room with her smile and fell head over heels for her.

"Madonna kept saying: 'That girl has so much love in her. I want to help her achieve her potential'.

"But adoption officials are being very strict after the uproar when Madonna adopted David.

"They know Grace is her first choice but have insisted she looks at other girls first - and that the final decision is hers."

It is suggested the singer will have to look at as many as 10 girls before the choice is made over which stay in Malawi - one of the poorest countries in the world - and which goes to live with Madonna, one of the wealthiest entertainers in the world.

Two other girls, known as Jessica and Mercy, who are both two, are also being considered for adoption.

Madonna will be accompanied on her trip to Malawi by her two other children Lourdes, 10, and Rocco, six.

Madonna's husband, British film director Guy Ritchie, is not expected to join them.

She was heavily criticised for her speedy adoption of baby David amid accusations, denied by the pop star, that she had f louted both Malawian and British adoption rules to expedite what is normally a lengthy and difficult process.

Her problems were exacerbated when it emerged that although David was living in an orphanage, his father was still alive and visited him regularly.

Yohane, 31, first said he agreed to the adoption but later said he never really wanted to give the child up for good.

The Sun quotes the source close to Madonna saying: "It was always Madonna's intention to adopt two orphans from Malawi - a boy and a girl.

"Grace is healthy, stunning and has no living relatives.

"The fact David's dad was alive and well caused most of the problems last time."